Greetings from the Search Committee,
Before I provide my Search Committee update, I want to share an awakening that has occurred within me. I came to St Paul’s in 1981, 45 years ago. I can comfortably say, “I’ve been there and done that”. I have served and experienced St Paul’s and all it has thrown at me; I mean that quite literally. Having said that, I want to share with you that something new and exciting has happened to me. I can’t tell you when it began, but suddenly I am experiencing St Paul’s for the first time. Everything feels new, improved, as though we are reborn, we begin anew. God in her infinite wisdom is allowing me to see us through the eyes of our next rector. It has been and continues to be a very emotional experience. Our building and property; the church and chapel; the Epistle Newsletter; our Worship Services; our outreach; the love and care we have for each other; the music, oh yes, the music; the list is too long to share here. I can tell you that I have had, “A ha” moments, “Wow” moments, and on several occasions, I have been brought to tears. As you enter our amazing space next time, join me in realizing how blessed we are and how exciting this search journey is about to become.
As for the work of the Search Committee, our vacancy has officially been made known to our Diocese and the National Church. We met again with the Diocesan Transition Officer, Canon Bill, and we entered the advertising stage. With great care, creativeness, and focus we have been working on making our vacancy known through multiple resources worldwide. Please keep our next rector in your prayers that they find themselves in the right place at the right time to see us and become as overwhelmed as I am, and maybe even moved to tears at finding us.
Faithfully Yours,
Bob Walenta
Search Committee Chair
Committee: Adam Brunelle, Bob Englert, Tom Lee, Terry Tamer, Rachael Thomas, Lisa Walker.
Rectory Painting and Clean-up
We will hold at least one more work session, 10:00 am – 2:00 pm, Tuesday, May 19, to complete painting and for final touches, window washing and clean-up. Even if you are not a painter, we can use help with clean-up at the end of the day. Please join us if you are able to help. All supplies will be provided. Please bring your own lunch. The rectory is located at 85 Mosher Road, Delmar, in the Town of Bethlehem. Please contact Mark Lowery if you have any questions or are available to work at other times.
Wholehearted Women’s Retreat
Registration is now open for the 11th annual women’s retreat at Christ the King Center, May 22-23.Participants will explore what a wholehearted life looks like in simple, practical ways, focusing on mental, physical, and spiritual health. Through encouraging talks, worship, rest, movement, and meaningful conversations, they will discover how mental, physical, and spiritual health connect to everyday life. Information and registration.
Beaver Cross Volunteer Day
The diocese is planning a volunteer day at Beaver Cross Camp, 10:00-4:00, June 13, 575 Burton Rd., Greenwich. This is a day for all ages (with an adult present), to assist with painting, cleaning, organizing, and building things like benches for the campers. Lunch is included. RSVP KHyde@CTKCenter.org or518-692-9550.
Blood Drive
The Red Cross will hold a blood drive at St. Paul’s from 2:00 to 6:00, Tuesday, June 30. A few volunteers are needed to help with registration and dispensing snacks to donors. If you are willing to help, even if only for an hour or two, please contact Mark Lowery. You can make an appointment to donate at https://www.redcrossblood.org/, although only Power Red appointments remain available at St. Paul’s drive. A Power Red donation collects the red cells but returns most of the plasma and platelets to the donor. These donors must meet specific eligibility requirements and have type A Neg, B Neg, or O blood.
During the month of June, Stewart’s Shops will donate a certificate for a free pre-packaged pint of ice cream or gelato to anyone who donates blood at a participating Red Cross location through its Pint For Pint Program.
IN OUR PRAYERS THIS WEEK
For those who celebrate a birthday:
Elliott 5/10, Steven 5/15
For those who celebrate an anniversary.
For those in need of healing, guidance, and comfort:
Mike, Joel, Raelynn, Matt, Cynthia, Meaghan, Dennis, Jescyka, Ty, Elizabeth, Joe, Hilda, Lynn, Russell, Anita, Laura, Bruce.
For those who have asked for our prayers:
Bob Caldwell and the people of All Saints Catholic Mission in Oakland Park, Florida.
All the members of the armed forces.
For our mission partners:
Mother Martha Hubbard and the people of Saint Andrew’s Episcopal Church, Albany.
Father Samuel Louis Charles, and the people of Christ the King Episcopal Church and parish school in LaHoye, Haiti.
Father Nicolas Stebbing, and the Tariro orphanages.
For the departed: W. Michael Losinger, Joseph Giffune Jr., Theodore and Denola Pyrch, an all our loved ones.
For the victims of conflict and violence.
For the victims of natural disasters throughout the world
and those who suffer from or are vulnerable to extreme weather conditions.
For the victims of gun violence.
PRAYER FOR A NEW RECTOR
Almighty God, giver of every good gift; Look graciously on your Church, and so guide the minds of those who shall choose a Rector for this parish, that we may receive a faithful pastor, who will care for your people and equip us for our ministries; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
